18 wards in most deprived list

A further nine wards are in the top 20 per cent most deprived, according to statistics outlined by Finance Minister Sammy Wilson.

The bleak statistics are derived from the most recent available measure of deprivation - the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure of 2005.

The Minister gave details in response to a query tabled at the Stormont Assembly.

The most deprived areas were Creggan Central 1 (11th), Brandywell (16th), Shantallow West 2 (24th), Crevagh 2 (25th), Strand (30th), Shantallow West (32nd), Creggan South (35th), The Diamond (36th), Westland (46th), Culmore 2 (52nd), Shantallow East (53rd), Creggan Central 2 (55th), Clondermot (67th), Carn Hill 2 (68th), Altnagelvin (70th), Ebrington (80th), Beechwood (83rd) and Victoria (89th).

Wards in Londonderry listed in the 11 per cent to 20 per cent most deprived areas were Enagh (96th), Rosemount (111th), Foyle Springs (122nd), Carn Hill 1 (139th), Springtown (143rd), Culmore 3 (155th), Ballynashallog (161st), Shantallow West 3 (171st) and

Crevagh 3 (174th). After Belfast the North West had the highest proportion of deprived areas in the whole of Northern Ireland.